Circuit interrupter spring charging means with toggle type latch

ABSTRACT

A circuit interrupter is provided with a stored energy overcenter spring operating means for operating the interrupter between open and closed positions. A latch device, comprising a toggle-type latch linkage and a latch structure releasably latching the toggle-type latch linkage, latches the operating means in charged positions for the opening and closing operations.

United States Patent 1 1 ,684,848

Davies 14 1 Aug. 15, 1972 [54] CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER SPRING 3,174,010 3/1965 Bottouan' et a1 335/169 CHARGING MEANS WITH TOGGLE 3,236,967 2/1966 Bottonari et a] 200/153 SC TYPE LATCH UX [72] Inventor: Norman DaviesTrafford, 3,496,319 2/1970 Norden ..200/153 SC x [73] Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corporation, Primary Examiner-Robert K. Schaefer Pittsburgh, Pa. Assistant Examiner-Robert A. Vanderhye [22] Filed: Jan. 14 1971 Attorney-A. T. Stratton, W. A. Elchik and Clement L. McHale [21] Appl. No.: 106,328

[57] ABSTRACT [521 "200/153 200/153 185/39 A circuit interrupter is provided with a stored energy [51] Int. Cl. "H01; overcemer spring operating means for operating the interrupter between open and closed positions. A [58] Field of Searc6h....l...82OO/ 153 $1, 153 SC, 3/ 3 latch device, comprising a toggle-type latch linkage 335/27 1 6 l 185/3 9 and a latch structure releasably latching the toggletype latch linkage, latches the operating means in [56] References cued charged positions for the opening and closing opera- UNITED STATES PATENTS nons- 3,235,044 2/1966 Rodeseike ..200/ 153 SC X 7 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures e [LIZ-r; I 9 1 us 0 I05 I27 I23 1 I U m 109 '29 us I v 0 117 a '9 IO M o r 49 s: a 87 w a g 133 9| I ,1, x 77 |3| i a 3 1 J25 f1 79 as e7 PATENTEDAU: 15 m2 SHEEI 1 [IF 7 FIG.

PATENTEDAua 15 1912 SHEET 2 1F 7 1| J HHHHHH Q FIG. 2

PATENTEDAm; 15 1912 SHEET 3 BF 7 v FIG. 3

CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER SPRING CHARGING MEANS WITH TOGGLE TYPE LATCH CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to circuit interrupters and more particularly to circuit interrupters of the type comprising a stored energy overcenter spring operating means for operating the circuit interrupter between open and closed positions.

2. Description of the Prior Art It is old in the art to provide a circuit interrupter of the type comprising a stored energy overcenter spring operating means for operating the interrupter between open and closed positions. This invention is an improvement over the prior art in that an improved single latch device latches the spring operating means in charged positions for both the opening and closing operations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The herein disclosed circuit interrupter comprises a stationary contact structure and a movable contact structure cooperable with the stationary contact structure. An operating shaft is supported for rotation between open and closed positions to move the movable contact structure between open and closed positions. A latch linkage is operatively connected to the operating shaft and a latch structure latches the latch linkage in a closed latched position to thereby latch the operating shaft in the closed position. Drive means is operable from a first position to a second position to move an overcenter spring structure from a springdischarged closed position to a spring-charged closed position, and the latch linkage in the closed latched position operates to maintain the overcenter spring structure in the spring-charged closed position. Release means is operable to move the latch structure to an unlatching position to thereby release the latch linkage whereupon the overcenter spring structure moves to a spring-discharged open position to drive the operating shaft to the open position during which operation the latch linkage moves to an open latched position and the latch structure is automatically reset in a latching position latching the latch linkage in the open latched position to thereby latch the operating shaft in the open position. The drive means is operable from the second position to the first position to move the overcenter spring structure from the spring-discharged open position to a spring charged open position, and the latch linkage in the open latched position operates to maintain the overcenter spring structure in the spring-' charged open position. The release means is operable to move the latch structure to the unlatching position to thereby release the latch linkage whereupon the overcenter spring structure moves to a springdischarged closed position to drive the operating shaft to the closed position during which movement the latch linkage moves to the closed latched position and the latch structure is automatically reset in the latching position latching the latch linkage in the closed latched position to thereby latch the operating shaft in the closed position. The latch linkage comprises a toggle structure that is underset in one direction when the latch linkage is in the closed latched position and underset in the opposite direction when the latch linkage is in the open latched position.

' BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevational view, with parts broken away, of a circuit interrupter constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the circuit interrupter illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken line IIIIII of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a front view, with parts broken away, illustrating the operating mechanism shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken generally along the line V-V of FIG. 4, with the parts being shown in the spring discharged closed position;

FIG. 6 is a view of certain parts disclosed in FIG. 5 with the parts being shown in the spring-charged closed position;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 5 with the parts being shown in the spring discharged open position; and

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 6 with the parts being shown in the spring-charged open position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings, there is shown, in FIGS. 1 and 2, a circuit interrupter 7 comprising support means 9 and a circuit-interrupter structure 11 supported on the support means 9. The support means 9 comprises backplate means 13 and a pair of side plate means 15, connected to the backplate means 13. A pair of elongated channel members l7 are supported on the side plate means 15 for supporting the terminals of the circuit interrupter.

The circuit-interrupter structure 11 comprises three stationary contacts 21 (FIGS. 2 and 3) supported on three spaced insulating members 23 that are supported on one of the back support channel members 17. A separate movable contact arm 25 is provided to cooperate with each of the stationary contacts 21. Each of the contact arms 25 comprises a pair of spaced contact members (FIG. 2) that comprise contact portions that engage the opposite sides of the associated stationary contact 21 in the closed position of the contacts. Each of the contact arms 25 is supported for pivotal movement on a separate conducting terminal 27 by means of a pivot pin 29. Each of the terminals 27 is supported on an insulating support 31 that is in turn supported on one of the channel support members 17. In each pole unit a terminal plate 33 is connected to the contact 21 and a terminal plate 35 is connected to the terminal 27 to enable connection of the pole unit in an electric circuit.

In each pole unit an elongated link 37 (FIG. 3) is pivotally connected at one end thereof to the movable contact arm 25 by means of a pivot pin 39 and at the other end thereof to a member 41 by means of a pivot pin 43. Each of the members 41 is an integral part of an generally along the elongated operating shaft 45. As can be understood with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the operating shaft 45 is supported on the sideplate means 15 for rotational movement about the elongated axis thereof. The circuit interrupter is shown in full lines in FIG. 3 in the closed position. Upon counterclockwise movement of the operating shaft 45 to the open position shown in broken lines, the three links 37 of the three pole units are moved to move the contact arms 25 to the open position shown in broken lines. Reverse o'r clockwise movement of the operating shaft 45 from the position shown in broken lines operates through the links 37 to move the three contact arms 25 from the open position shown in broken lines to the closed position shown in full lines.

An operating mechanism 49 (FIGS. 2, 4 and is provided for operating the operating shaft 45 between the closed and open positions. The operating mechanism 49 comprises drive means 51, an overcenter spring structure 53, a latch linkage 55, a latch structure 57 and a trip device 59.

The drive means 51 comprises a drive member 61 supported on the operating shaft 45 for rotational movement relative to the operating shaft 45. The drive member 61 is provided with an opening 63 for receiving a crank rod 65 that can be placed into the opening 63 in order to crank the drive member 61 between the open and closed positions.

The overcenter spring structure 53 comprises an elongated rod 67 that extends at one end thereof through an opening 69 in a stationary plate 71 that is connected on the side plate means 15. A pin 73 and washer 75 are supported on the rod 67. An overcenter spring 77 is supported on the rod 67 between the washer 75 and the plate 71. The rod 67 is pivotally connected at the other end thereof to a member 79 by means of a pin 81. As can be understood with reference to FIG. 4, the pin 81 extends out through opposite sides of the member 79. The member 79 is supported on the operating shaft 45 for rotational movement relative to the operating shaft 45. A member 85 is fixedly secured to the operating shaft 45. The member 85 is provided with an extension 87 at one side of the operating shaft and an extension 89 at the other side of the operating shaft 45. The member 85 is also provided with an integral extension or toggle link 91 that serves as one link of a toggle of the latch linkage 55 in a manner to be hereinafter described. The other toggle 1 link is a member 93 that is pivotally connected at one end thereof to the part 91 by means of a pivot pin 95 and at the other end thereof to an elongated link 97 by means of a pivot pin 99. The link 97 is pivotally supported, intermediate the ends thereof, on a stationary support bracket 101 by means of a pin 103. The support bracket 101 is suitably secured to the side plate means 15. The link 97 is provided with a notch 105 at the upper end thereof that engages a roller 107 of a roller latch 109. The roller latch 109 is pivotally supported on the bracket 101 by means of a pin 111. The roller latch 109 is provided with a roller. 113 at the other end thereof that engages in a notch 115 of a latch member 117 that is pivotally supported on the bracket 101 by means of a pivot pin 119. A torsion spring 121 biases the roller latch 109 in a clockwise direction to the latching position seen in FIG. 5, and a torsion spring 123 biases the latch 117 in a counterclockwise direction to the latching position seen in FIG. 5. The latch 117 is provided with an extension 127 that can be manually moved to pivot the latch 117 in a clockwise direction in order to operate the interrupter in a I manner to be hereinafter described. The extension 127 may also be actuated by-the electromagnetic trip 59 that comprises a plunger 129 that is raised when the electromagnet 59 is energized to thereby automatically move the latch 117 in a clockwise (FIG. 5) direction to the actuated position.

The circuit interrupter is shown in the springdischarged closed position in FIGS. 1-5. In order to operate the circuit interrupter to the open position, the crank rod 65 is placed in the opening 63 (FIG. 5) of the drive member 61, and the crank rod 65 is manually cranked from the spring-discharged closed position seen in FIG. 5 to the spring-charged closed position seen in FIG. 6. During this movement, an extended part 131 of the drive member 61 engages the pin 81 (FIGS. 4 and 5) to drive the intermediate member 79 and spring rod 67 from the spring-discharged closed position seen in FIG. 5 to the overcenter spring-charged closed position seen in FIG. 6. During this movement, the spring 77 is charged and near the end of this movement, the spring rod 67 passes overcenter relative to the axis of the operating shaft 45 whereupon the spring 77 starts to discharge driving the pin 81 against the extended part 87 of the member to bias the member 85 and the operating shaft 45, to which the member 85 is secured, in a counterclockwise (FIG. 6) direction toward the open position seen in FIG. 7. The overcenter spring structure 53 is latched in this springcharged closed position (FIG. 6) by the latch linkage 55 (FIG. 5) which prevents counterclockwise rotation of the operating shaft 45 and by the latch structure 57 which latches the latch linkage 55 in the position seen in FIG. 5. In this position, it is noted that a toggle 91, 93 of the latch linkage 55 is underset or collapsed in a downward (FIGS. 5 and 6) direction. The parts will remain in the spring charged closed position seen in FIG. 6 until release of the latch linkage 55. Thus, energy is, stored for a closing operation. In order to close the circuit interrupter with the spring 77 in the charged position seen in FIG. 6, the latch member 117 (FIG. 5) is pivoted in a clockwise (FIG. 5) direction manually, by lifting the part 127, or electromagnetically by operation of the electromagnet 59 to move the plunger 129 upward to lift the part 127. During this movement, the latch 117 moves to release the roller 113 from the notch 115 permitting the roller latch 109 to rotate in a counterclockwise (FIG. 5) direction about the pin 111. This movement permits the roller 107 to move out of the notch permitting the elongated link 97 to pivot in a counterclockwise direction about the pivot pin 103. This movement releases the toggle 91, 93 to release the operating shaft 45 whereupon the charged spring 77 discharges driving the rod 67 from the springcharged closed position seen in FIG. 6 to the springdischarged open position seen in FIG. 7 with the pin 81 (FIGS. 4, 6 and 7) operating against the extended part 87 of the member 85 to drive the member 85, and the operating shaft 45 to which the member 85 is secured, in a counterclockwise direction from the springcharged closed position seen in FIG. 6 to the springdischarged open position seen in FIG. 7. During this movement, the operating shaft 45 rotates from the closed position seen in full lines in FIG. 3 to the open position seen in broken lines in FIG. 3 moving the links 37 of the three pole units to the position seen in broken lines in FIG. 3 to thereby move the three contact arms 25 to the open position seen in broken lines in FIG. 3. Upon movement of the parts from the spring-charged closed position seen in FIG. 6 to the spring-discharged open position seen in FIG. 7, the toggle 91, 93 is moved from the collapsed or downward underset position seen in FIG. 6 to the collapsed or upward underset position seen in FIG. 7 during which movement the link 97 is moved first in a counterclockwise direction as the toggle 91, 93 moves to the erected position and then in a clockwise direction as the toggle 91, 93 collapses to the upward underset position seen in FIG. 7. This movement automatically resets the toggle link 97 in the position seen in FIG. 7, and the springs 121, 123 automatically reset the latches 109, 117 respectively in the latching position seen in FIG. 7.

In order to manually operate the circuit interrupter from the spring-discharged open position seen in FIG. 7 to the spring-discharged closed position seen in FIG. 5, the circuit interrupter is first operated to the springcharged open position seen in FIG. 8. With the circuit interrupter in the position seen in FIG. 7, the crank 65 is moved from the position seen in FIG. 7 to the position seen in FIG. 8. During this movement, the drive member 61 is moved with the projecting portion 133 thereof operating against the pin 81 (FIGS. 7 and 4) to drive the member 79 and the rod 67 from the springdischarged open position seen in FIG. 7 to the springcharged open position seen in FIG. 8. During this movement, the rod 67 goes overcenter relative to the axis of the operating shaft 45 and the spring 77, which is charged during the early part of this movement, starts to discharge forcing the rod 67 and member 79 in a counterclockwise (FIG. 8) direction. This movement is limited by the engagement of the pin 81 with the projecting part 89 of the member 85, that is secured to the operating shaft 45, and with the latch linkage 55 latched by means of the latch structure 57, the parts are latched in the stored-energy spring-charged open position seen in FIG. 8. In order to release the stored energy and close the circuit breaker, the part 127 of the latch member 117 is lifted, either manually or electromagnetically, to rotate the latch 117 in a counterclockwise direction to release the roller 113 from the notch 115 to release the roller latch member 109 permitting counterclockwise movement of the roller latch member 109. Upon release of the roller latch member 109 the roller 107 moves out of the notch 105 of the link 97 to permit counterclockwise movement of the link 97. This movement permits the toggle 91, 93 to move from the upward underset position seen in FIG. 7 to thereby permit clockwise movement of the operating shaft 45. The spring 77 discharges moving the rod 67 from the spring-charged open position seen in FIG. 8 to the spring-discharged closed position seen in FIG. 5. During this movement the pin 81, operating against the part 89 of the member 85, drives the member 85 and operating shaft 45 from the spring-charged open position seen in FIG. 8 to the spring-discharged closed position seen in FIG. 5. During this movement, the operating shaft 45 rotates in a clockwise (FIG. 3) direction to move the links 37 and the three contact arms 25 from the open position seen in broken lines in FIG. 3 to the closed position seen in full lines in FIG. 3. During this movement to the closed position, the movement of the operating shaft 45, operating through the toggle 91, 93, first moves the link 97 in a counterclockwise direction as the toggle 91, 93 moves to the erected position and then the link 97 is moved in a clockwise direction as the toggle 91, 93 moves to the downward underset position seen in FIG. 5. This movement moves the link 97 to the latching position seen in FIG. 5, and the springs 121, 123 operate to automatically reset the roller latch member 109 and latch member 117 in the latched position seen in FIG. 5. The circuit interrupter may then be operated to the spring-charged closed position seen in FIG. 6 and to the spring-discharged open position seen in FIG. 7 in the same manner as was hereinbefore described.

I claim as my invention:

1. A circuit interrupter comprising a stationary contact and a movable contact cooperable with said stationary contact, an operating shaft supported for rotation between open and closed positions to move said movable contact between open and closed positions, a latch linkage operatively connected to said operating shaft and comprising a toggle, a latch structure in a latching position latching said latch linkage in an open latched position to thereby latch said operating shaft in the open position, said toggle being underset in one direction when said latch linkage is in said open latched position, an overcenter spring structure operatively connected to said operating shaft,

drive means operable from a first position to a second position to move said operating shaft in a first direction to thereby move said overcenter spring structure from a spring-discharged open position to a spring-charged open position, said latch linkage in said open latched position latching said overcenter spring structure in said springcharged open position, said latch structure being operable from said latching position to an unlatching position to release said latch linkage from said open latched position, upon release of said latch linkage from said open latched position said overcenter spring structure moving to a springdischarged closed position driving said operating shaft in said first direction to the closed position, upon operation of said operating shaft to the closed position said latch linkage moving to a closed latched position wherein said toggle is underset in another direction opposite said one direction and said latch structure being automatically reset in said latching position latching said latch linkage in said closed latched position to thereby latch said operating shaft in the closed position,

said drive means being operable from said second position to said first position to move said operating shaft in a second direction opposite said first direction to thereby move said overcenter spring structure from said spring-discharged closed position to a spring-charged closed position, said latch linkage in said closed latched position latching said overcenter spring structure in said spring-charged closed position, said latch structure being operable from said latching position to said unlatching position to release said latch linkage from said closed latched position, upon release of said latch linkage from said closed latched position said overcenter spring structure moving to said spring-discharged open position driving said operating shaft in said second direction to said open position, upon operation of said operating shaft to the open position said latch linkage moving to said open latched position wherein said toggle is underset in said one direction and said latch structure being automatically reset in said latching position latching said latch linkage in said open latched position to thereby latch said operating shaft in said open position.

2. A circuit interrupter according to claim 1, said toggle comprising a first toggle link movable with said operating shaft, said toggle comprising a second toggle link, an elongated link pivotally supported intermediate its ends, said elongated link being pivotally connected at one end thereof to said second toggle link, said latch structure latching said elongated link at the opposite end thereof, said elongated link being in the same position when said toggle is underset in said one direction and when said toggle is underset in said opposite direction.

3. A circuit interrupter according to claim 2, and said latch structure comprising a pair of latch members in the same latching position when said latch structure latches said latch linkage in said open latched position and when said latch structure latches said latch linkage in said closed latched position.

4. A circuit interrupter according to claim 3, said latch structure comprising a roller latch member pivotally supported intermediate the ends thereof, said roller latch member comprising a first roller at one end thereof engaging said elongated link, said roller latch member comprising a second roller at the opposite end thereof, a latch trip member engaging said second roller to latch said roller latch member to thereby latch said latch linkage in said open latched position and in said closed latched position, said trip latch member being movable to an unlatching position to release said roller latch member to thereby release said latch linkage when said latch linkage is in said open latched position and also when said latch linkage is in said closed latched position.

5. A circuit interrupter according to claim 1, said overcenter spring structure comprising an intermediate member supported on said operating shaft for pivotal movement relative to said operating shaft, an overcenter spring operatively connected to said intermediate member, said drive means comprising a drive member supported on said operating shaft for pivotal movement relative to said operating shaft, said drive member being pivotally movable on said operating shaft in said first direction from a first position to a secondposition to pivot said intermediate member on said operating shaft in said first direction to move said overcenter spring structure from said spring-discharged open position to said spring-charged open position, and said drive member being pivotally movable on said operating shaft in said second direction from said sec ndpositi n to saidfrst osition tcai pivot said interme rate mem r on sat op rating sh in said second direction to move said overcenter spring structure from said spring-discharged closed position to said springcharged closed position.

6. A circuit interrupter according to claim 5, said circuit interrupter being a multi-pole circuit interrupter, a stationary contact for each of said poles, a movable contact for each of said poles, and said operating shaft being operatively connected to simultaneously move all of said movable contacts between the open and closed positions.

7. A circuit interrupter according to claim 6, and said latch structure being in the same position when said latch structure latches said latch linkagein said open latched position and when said latch structure latches said latch linkage in said closed latched position. 

1. A circuit interrupter comprising a stationary contact and a movable contact cooperable with said stationary contact, an operating shaft supported for rotation between open and closed positions to move said movable contact between open and closed positions, a latch linkage operatively connected to said operating shaft and comprising a toggle, a latch structure in a latching position latching said latch linkage in an open latched position to thereby latch said operating shaft in the open position, said toggle being underset in one direction when said latch linkage is in said open latched position, an overcenter spring structure operatively connected to said operating shaft, drive means operable from a first position to a second position to move said operating shaft in a first direction to thereby move said overcenter spring structure from a spring-discharged open position to a spring-charged open position, said latch linkage in said open latched position latching said overcenter spring structure in said spring-charged open position, said latch structure being operable from said latching position to an unlatching position to release said latch linkage from said open latched position, upon release of said latch linkage from said open latched position said overcenter spring struCture moving to a spring-discharged closed position driving said operating shaft in said first direction to the closed position, upon operation of said operating shaft to the closed position said latch linkage moving to a closed latched position wherein said toggle is underset in another direction opposite said one direction and said latch structure being automatically reset in said latching position latching said latch linkage in said closed latched position to thereby latch said operating shaft in the closed position, said drive means being operable from said second position to said first position to move said operating shaft in a second direction opposite said first direction to thereby move said overcenter spring structure from said spring-discharged closed position to a spring-charged closed position, said latch linkage in said closed latched position latching said overcenter spring structure in said spring-charged closed position, said latch structure being operable from said latching position to said unlatching position to release said latch linkage from said closed latched position, upon release of said latch linkage from said closed latched position said overcenter spring structure moving to said spring-discharged open position driving said operating shaft in said second direction to said open position, upon operation of said operating shaft to the open position said latch linkage moving to said open latched position wherein said toggle is underset in said one direction and said latch structure being automatically reset in said latching position latching said latch linkage in said open latched position to thereby latch said operating shaft in said open position.
 2. A circuit interrupter according to claim 1, said toggle comprising a first toggle link movable with said operating shaft, said toggle comprising a second toggle link, an elongated link pivotally supported intermediate its ends, said elongated link being pivotally connected at one end thereof to said second toggle link, said latch structure latching said elongated link at the opposite end thereof, said elongated link being in the same position when said toggle is underset in said one direction and when said toggle is underset in said opposite direction.
 3. A circuit interrupter according to claim 2, and said latch structure comprising a pair of latch members in the same latching position when said latch structure latches said latch linkage in said open latched position and when said latch structure latches said latch linkage in said closed latched position.
 4. A circuit interrupter according to claim 3, said latch structure comprising a roller latch member pivotally supported intermediate the ends thereof, said roller latch member comprising a first roller at one end thereof engaging said elongated link, said roller latch member comprising a second roller at the opposite end thereof, a latch trip member engaging said second roller to latch said roller latch member to thereby latch said latch linkage in said open latched position and in said closed latched position, said trip latch member being movable to an unlatching position to release said roller latch member to thereby release said latch linkage when said latch linkage is in said open latched position and also when said latch linkage is in said closed latched position.
 5. A circuit interrupter according to claim 1, said overcenter spring structure comprising an intermediate member supported on said operating shaft for pivotal movement relative to said operating shaft, an overcenter spring operatively connected to said intermediate member, said drive means comprising a drive member supported on said operating shaft for pivotal movement relative to said operating shaft, said drive member being pivotally movable on said operating shaft in said first direction from a first position to a second position to pivot said intermediate member on said operating shaft in said first direction to move said overcenter spring structure from said spring-discharged open position to said spring-charged open position, and said drive member being pivotally movable on said operating shaft in said second direction from said second position to said first position to pivot said intermediate member on said operating shaft in said second direction to move said overcenter spring structure from said spring-discharged closed position to said spring-charged closed position.
 6. A circuit interrupter according to claim 5, said circuit interrupter being a multi-pole circuit interrupter, a stationary contact for each of said poles, a movable contact for each of said poles, and said operating shaft being operatively connected to simultaneously move all of said movable contacts between the open and closed positions.
 7. A circuit interrupter according to claim 6, and said latch structure being in the same position when said latch structure latches said latch linkage in said open latched position and when said latch structure latches said latch linkage in said closed latched position. 